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OPINION: Trodding On The Winepress: All Hail The Nigerian Workers

Published

1 year ago

May 7, 2025

By Israel ADEBIYI

_“Yeah, we’ve been trodding on the winepress much too long… Rebel, rebel!”_ — Bob Marley, Babylon System, 1978.

May Day came like a thief in daylight—ceremonial, subdued, and almost perfunctory. The speeches flowed from Aso Rock, the governors’ lodges echoed with empty praise, and the workers—oh, the workers—stood at the square once again, beneath sun-faded banners, to be reminded of how far they’ve fallen.

It was Bob Marley who sang with prophetic angst against oppression, warning against systems built to suck men dry. Decades later, his lyrics find a second home in the hearts of Nigerian workers, who have for generations been crushed beneath the boots of indifference, bad governance, and systemic wickedness.

From the builders of the pyramids to the weavers of silk, the factory hands of the industrial revolution to today’s tech developers—workers have always been the heart of global progress. They till the earth, teach the children, drive the buses, heal the sick, and keep the wheels of civilization moving. But while the world has evolved, in Nigeria, workers remain stuck in the gears—underpaid, undervalued, and overworked.

In Nigeria, being a worker is synonymous with sacrifice. The minimum wage, recently pegged at ₦70,000, appears like a breath of fresh air on paper. However, reality says otherwise. While a handful of states have adjusted upward, the majority still grapple with the outdated ₦30,000, barely enough to survive a week, let alone a month. And even then, the payment is erratic—an outright violation of the National Minimum Wage Act, Section 3(1).

MORE FROM THE AUTHOR: [OPINION] Delta: When The Vultures Gather

The conversation must now shift from minimum wage to living wage. A wage that reflects the economic realities of food, shelter, transport, healthcare, education, and dignity. Anything less is a starvation sentence.

There was a time in Nigeria when a middle-class worker had a shot at life. With a decent civil service job, one could build a modest house, own a car, send children to private schools, and retire with some honour. That class—the buffer between the elite and the poor—has been drained into extinction.

Today, what remains is a trinity of economic extremes: *_The Very Rich, The Poor, and The Very Poor_*. According to recent NBS data, over 63% of Nigerians live in multidimensional poverty. Food inflation is at over 37%, transportation costs have doubled, and electricity tariffs have skyrocketed. How then can a ₦30,000—or even ₦70,000—wage be called minimum, let alone dignified?

While workers beg for survival, politicians swim in opulence. A senator earns ₦13.5 million monthly plus perks. A worker, meanwhile, earns less than a senator’s wardrobe allowance in a year. It is moral decay in high definition.

Worse still, political officeholders send out May Day messages steeped in sympathy and false promises. These speeches are ritualistic distractions—reminders of their distance from the real issues. Many of these leaders have failed to implement wage policies, yet posture as friends of the worker.

The warning signs are glaring. If the plight of Nigerian workers remains unaddressed life expectancy will further drop; Nigeria is already among the lowest globally; the workforce will shrink—as young talents migrate or burn out; and the country will collapse into a cycle of survival slavery—a people working endlessly, not to live, but merely to exist.

Already, Nigerians are working two to three jobs, trading health and family for scraps. The concept of retirement is becoming mythical. The youth no longer dream, they hustle. The present is bleak, and the future is being bartered away.

Yet, despite it all, the Nigerian worker remains. Faithful. Resilient. Defiant. From teachers to drivers, nurses to cleaners, they carry the nation’s burden. They deserve not just applause—but justice. They have rebelled, not with arms, but with service.

But how long shall they tread on the winepress?

The time for sweet-tongued May Day speeches is over. What Nigeria needs is an immediate implementation of the ₦70,000 minimum wage across all states; a structured path to living wages indexed to inflation; full enforcement of labour laws and penalties for violations; and rebuilding the middle class through economic policy, credit access, and housing support.

Until then, the nation will continue to lose its soul. And Bob Marley’s cry will remain our eternal lament:

_“We refuse to be what you wanted us to be…_
_Yeah, we’ve been trodding on the winepress much too long… Rebel, rebel!”_

News

Migration Agency Warns Migrants Against Irregular Travel Routes

Published

5 hours ago

May 28, 2026

Editor

The International Organisation for Migration (IOM), in collaboration with Giving is Healing Foundation, has sensitised residents of Ayobo in Alimosho Local Government Area of Lagos State on the dangers of irregular migration and the need to embrace legal travel procedures.

Speaking during a sensitisation programme held at Megida Ifelodu Community Development Association in Ayobo, the founder of Giving is Healing Foundation, Mr. Gbolahan Ayediran, warned intending migrants against using illegal travel routes.

Ayediran said many Nigerians desire to migrate abroad in search of better opportunities but often ignore proper procedures, thereby exposing themselves to several dangers.

“Lots of people want to migrate and most of them do it in the wrong direction. The reason for the programme is for us to advise people on how they can migrate in the right way. As much as migration is their right, they should do it correctly,” he said.

He advised intending travellers to obtain the necessary travel documents before embarking on any journey, noting that such documents include international passports, visas, flight tickets and yellow cards, depending on the destination country.

According to him, migrants should also gather adequate information about their destination countries to enable them make informed decisions before travelling.

Ayediran further highlighted some of the dangers associated with irregular migration, including abuse, exploitation, discrimination and forced labour.

Also speaking, the Chairman of Megida Ifelodu Community Development Association, Elder Mathews Amusan, commended the organisers for enlightening members of the community on safe migration practices.

He urged residents planning to travel abroad to always follow legal migration procedures to avoid falling victim to human trafficking and other migration-related challenges.

One of the participants, Mr. Kolawole Adenoko, said the programme enlightened him on the dangers of irregular migration and the importance of travelling through the proper channels.

He added that he would also educate his relatives and friends on the risks associated with illegal migration.

News

Shatta Wale Bailed Burna Boy From Ghana Prison After Arrest For Smoking Weed – Captan

Published

8 hours ago

May 28, 2026

Editor

Ghanian singer, Captan, has claimed that his former record label boss, Shatta Wale, once bailed Nigerian singer Burna Boy out of prison in Ghana after he was allegedly arrested for smoking weed.

Speaking in a recent podcast interview, Captan claimed that Shatta Wale sent him and others to free Burna Boy from police custody.

He also claimed that Shatta Wale and his group once accommodated Burna Boy when he was being hunted by some dangerous men.

Captan said, “I once bailed Burna Boy out of prison in Ghana when he was arrested for smoking weed. Shatta Wale sent me and some guys to go and free him from police custody.

“There was a time we also accommodated him when some people were after his life. We helped him settle the case.”

He added that he and Burna Boy are no longer in good terms after the Nigerian artist’s fallout with his mentor, Shatta Wale.

He, however, said he and Shatta Wale are open to reconciling with Burna Boy if he asks for it.

Watch the video here

News

Children’s Day: Chaos At Ogbe Stadium As Dozens Faint

Published

23 hours ago

May 27, 2026

Editor

Chaos erupted on Wednesday during the Children’s Day celebration as dozens of students reportedly collapsed following a stampede triggered by the use of pepper spray.

The event,
organised by the Edo State Ministry of Education at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium was disrupted after some male students of Ihogbe College allegedly made uncompromising advances towards female students at the venue.
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‎ A parent who identified himself as Oboh Emmanuel said, “the behaviour of those uncultured students attracted the attention of bouncers stationed at the stadium as they rebuked the male students.”
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‎Oboh said the affected students later regrouped and attacked the bouncers, leading to a confrontation within the crowded arena.

READ ALSO:Children’s Day: Edo Commits To Child Protection
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It was gathered that in the ensuing confusion, the bouncers were reported to have deployed pepper spray in an area occupied by a large number of students.
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‎Several students, particularly female students, reportedly fainted after inhaling the substance, while others sustained injuries after being stepped on during the ensuing melee.
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‎The panic was said to have spread across the stadium as students, teachers and parents scampered for safety.
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‎Many of the affected students were reportedly rushed to the Edo Specialist Hospital for medical attention.

Reacting to the incident, Chief Press Secretary to Governor Monday Okpebholo, Dr Patrick Ebojele, said the security personnel that fired the tear gas had been detained.

He said all the students, except two, that were rushed to the hospital have been discharged.

Ebojele stated that doctors wanted to observe the students till tomorrow before allowing them to go home.

“The two students are not seriously injured. Doctors want to observe them overnight. Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education is still at the hospital. The man who used pepper spray has been detained.

“The incident did not happen the way it is being exaggerated. All modalities were put in place to ensure the children enjoyed their day.”
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